Fifita Wears “Tribute” To Deadly One Punch Victim’s Killer

You’ll all remember when Kieran Loveridge punched Thomas Kelly in a brutal attack in King’s Cross and prematurely ended his young life, at just 18-years-old.

He is currently serving a 13-year sentence for the death of Thomas Kelly.

Now, NRL Cronulla Sharks player Andrew Fifita is in the headlines for showing support for Loveridge, who is thought to be a long-time friend. Fifita was warned after wearing an armband thought to support him several times throughout the season.

The armband features the initials ‘F.K.L’, which is believed to be an abbreviation for ‘Free Kieran Loveridge’, according to a report on The Daily Telegraph.

Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said the prop is aware associating with criminals is the wrong thing to do. 'I spoke to him on Wednesday night, he grew up with these people and told me, 'you didn't grow up in the western suburbs',' Flanagan said, according to The Daily Telegraph.

'A lot of his mates are in jail. That's the way it is. He won't desert them, but he understands he can't contact them.'

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said on Wednesday night the incident should serve as another reminder to players and officials to be careful who they associated with. 'We are determined to work with police to ensure that criminal elements do not infiltrate our game,' he said in a brief statement.